Outcomes of Emotion Regulation Therapy in Young Autistic Adults

Michal Assaf5 enrolled

Overview

This pilot study is designed to investigate the clinical outcomes and neural mechanisms of emotion regulation behavioral treatment , in a small sample of young adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

Five young adults with ASD with emotional/behavioral challenges that are attributed to emotion dysregulation will be enrolled into an emotion regulation (ER) intervention administered twice weekly for a total of 16 sessions. Participants will be evaluated pre- and post-treatment using behavioral and imaging measures, and at mid-treatment and 2-month follow-up using behavioral measures administered electronically and/or via phone interview.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Autism

Interventions

Emotion Regulation InterventionBEHAVIORAL

We will administer a cognitive-behavioral treatment targeting emotion dysregulation, including mindfulness skills and other cognitive and behavioral emotion regulation skills.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 40 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder * Ages 18-40 * Estimated full-scale IQ ≥ 80 * T score \> 60 on either the externalizing or internalizing symptoms scores of either the Adult Behavior Checklist (ABC-L) or the Adult Self Report (ASR) * Participation in previous study at the Olin Center ("Social Emotional Study"; E-HHC- 2018-0241) Exclusion Criteria: * Intellectual disability (estimated full scale IQ\<80 * History of a significant head injury (severe concussion, hospitalization) * History of neurosurgery * History of epilepsy, stroke, MS, a neurodegenerative disorder, or any other neurological disorder * A current major medical condition (e.g. cancer, heart failure) * Current substance use (determined by urine screen done to all participants before each MRI scan) * In-body metal implants (e.g. surgical clips, certain pacemakers) or history of exposure to metal shards or other MRI contraindications * Pregnancy

Locations (1)

Institute of Living, Hartford Hospital

Hartford, Connecticut, United States

RECRUITING